ATTACHMENT 8

CALFED DRINKING WATER QUALITY PROGRAM

(Proposition 13 and 50)

Program Priorities

For this funding cycle, the CALFED Drinking Water Quality Program is particularly interested in projects that are designed to reduce loads of drinking water pollutants of concern from agricultural, managed wetlands, and urban sources.

Our top priorities are:

  • Development and implementation of management practices for:

Delta island discharges;

Irrigated agriculture and managed wetlands in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys; and

Urban sources.

  • Projects that develop and implement watershed programs adjacent to the California Aqueduct and other similar conveyances, including implementation of necessary physical improvements, pursuant to the CALFED Record of Decision.
  • Monitoring, assessment, and research projects that increase our understanding of the sources, transport, transformation, and fate of the CALFED drinking water quality pollutants of concern.

Project Selection Criteria

  • Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria.

Relevance and Importance – The project will achieve the general program goal of reducing contaminants that impair Delta water quality. Source water improvement projects will result in measurable reductions in organic carbon, bromide, microbial pathogens, salinity, turbidity, taste, odor, or other drinking water pollutants of concern. The project will help to achieve the CALFED Drinking Water Quality Program specific targets of either: (a) average concentrations at Clifton Court Forebay and other south and central Delta drinking water intakes of 50 µg/L bromide and 3 mg/L total organic carbon; or (b) an equivalent level of public health protection using a cost-effective combination of alternative source waters, source control, and treatment technologies. The proposed project must demonstrate how it fits into the “equivalent level of public health protection” (or ELPH) conceptual framework of the Drinking Water Subcommittee of the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee. The project should address multiple CALFED program objectives (such as ecosystem restoration, water use efficiency, watershed management, storage and conveyance, levee system integrity, and/or water transfers) in an integrated manner.

Scientific Merit - The project team understands the problem and relevant research. The proposal describes a conceptual model about how the system works. The conceptual model, references to previous analyses, and past data forms the basis of any proposed monitoring efforts. Monitoring proposals justify the time and spatial scales of proposed data collection efforts. The proposal explains the logic between the conceptual model, the hypotheses, the proposed work, and the information that will be developed (i.e. will the project answer the question that it has asked?). The proposal describes how the required peer reviews will be conducted. The proposed project utilizes science-based adaptive management.

Monitoring, Assessment, and Performance Measures – The monitoring component of the project is sufficient and complete. In particular, project performance measures are adequately described and appropriate.

Coordination, Communication, and Technology Transfer – The proposed project coordinates with/contributes to ongoing local watershed management. The project coordinates with appropriate local, State, and federal government entities. The project is consistent with existing local and regional efforts and plans. The proposal adequately addresses the eventual transfer of results to water quality professionals and the public.

Environmental Justice – (a) Involvement - The community, including low-income, minority, or other disadvantaged populations, are involved in the development of the project. The proposal includes a specific plan for identifying and including diverse community interests in implementation of the project. Citizen-based water quality monitoring, in compliance with State Water Resources Control Board-approved quality assurance plans, is encouraged. (b) Impacts – The proposal identifies benefits to the local community and shows how they will be measured. The project ensures that benefits are distributed equitably. The proposal explains the process for ensuring that environmental/health risks to disadvantaged communities are not increased, and are preferably decreased, as a result of the project.

Tribal Resources and Concerns – The proposal assesses the impact of the project on tribal trust resources and tribal government rights and concerns.

Project Team and Budget – The applicant and project team members are qualified to perform the proposed work. The budget is adequate as well as justified. The budget closely matches the approach, methods, and anticipated benefits. The proposal includes an implementation schedule with discrete tasks and a budget. The costs and schedule are reasonable and realistic. The project includes appropriate partnerships with related projects, investigators and stakeholder groups.

Costs and Benefits – The benefits (including employment, training and capacity building) and costs of the project compare favorably to other possible projects. The project is able to leverage CALFED funds by partnerships with other entities, funding sources, and/or in-kind services including existing sources of CALFED agency funds.

Durability/Long-term O&M – The project demonstrates the capability to sustain water quality benefits for at least 20 years. When necessary, the project includes a plan for sustainable long-term operation and maintenance funded independently of CALFED.